Frequently Asked Questions
You want to hire THE BEST band, right? If you're not sure where to start, keep reading.
Below are some questions we think you should ask any band before you sign a contract.
Below are some questions we think you should ask any band before you sign a contract.
Who is Collision Six?
Collision Six is a full service event band, in the traditional sense, but then not so much. In the traditional sense, we’re a group of professional musicians who perform together every weekend and rehearse every week. Every single note you hear at a Collision Six performance is played by a live musician because we do not use pre-recorded “karaoke tracks” to beef up our sound. In the non-traditional sense, our stage show is full of energy and can be spontaneous because we’re fully involved in the moment with you. We've written careful transitions from song-to-song so the momentum of the dance floor never lets up! We care deeply about our clients and putting their interests first. We take a collaborative approach with our clients by sharing our experiences and explaining things to help them make the best decisions possible for their events. We are NOT an agency. We are NOT a bunch of hired-guns. We ARE a band, and we call ourselves Collision Six.
How long have you been in business?
Collision Six performed their first show in December 2002; we performed at our first private event in 2010.
Are the musicians that appear on the website the ones who will perform at the party? What happens if one of the band members gets sick?
Yes. We are not an agency, and we are not a casting call of hired-gun musicians. We are a band, so the faces you see on the website will be the faces you'll see on the stage at your wedding. Of course, from time to time, one of our core band members will miss a performance. We play 90% of our shows with our core line up and we regularly rehearse with our backups so they’re up to speed on the show.
When do band members arrive to set up?
Our band members typically arrive about 1 hour before the event begins to set up their gear and complete a sound check Our goal is to make sure your event is classy and sounds amazing from the first note until the last dance. For that reason, our band members always arrive before your guests so you never see us carting gear through the middle of your event. We always complete a sound check where we play through a couple songs to make sure the mix is good. Every room is different--both the size and the way sound waves bounce off different surfaces--so don't let a band tell you they don't need to sound check! What that means is that they're going to be sound checking while they're playing the first couple songs in front of your guests.
How much music do we get?
For weddings, most venues book a 6-hour package, which includes cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. So, our packages include 6 hours as well, and alll of our packages include music for the entire event, including up to 4 hours of music for dancing with the full band. Our Classic Package features around 2 hours of iPod/DJ music for cocktails and dinner, and we offer various upgrades to swap out DJ music for live music or to increase the size of the band. Many bands restrict their time to "continuous music," which means if you want an opening dance set, the clock starts ticking then. Our style is to work with you to provide the perfect blend of live music and DJ music, so we'll accommodate any timeline that works for you. In the case of corporate parties and private events, we've found that timelines vary substantially, so we are committed to working with you to make sure you have the exact blend of music you feel is appropriate.
How long are your sets and breaks?
At most events, we play 3 sets. The first set will usually be 70-80 minutes and will include some music for the end of dinner as well as at least 60 minutes of music for open dancing. The two remaining sets are usually around an hour, with 20 minute breaks in between. During those breaks, we’re going to DJ for you – not with a playlist in the background – but with a DJ on the stage taking requests and interacting with your guests. During each, we will DJ about 5 songs. Many bands take 30 minute breaks, and we feel that's too long to keep the momentum of the party going.
Do you provide music for the cocktail hour or ceremony?
Yes. Music for cocktail hour is always included in our packages. Some bands charge extra for having cocktails in a separate location than where the band will be – we do not! If you’re interested in music for your ceremony, we can absolutely do that – either with DJ music or live music for an additional fee.
Who acts as the MC?
We always provide an MC for your event. At weddings, that means introductions and announcing the “moments” as they happen. At a corporate party or private event, that can mean introducing speakers or making announcements. Matt is our MC, but Kerry can do it too! We will never charge a fee for this.
Do we get to choose the songs? Do you take requests?
We’re going to start off by providing you with our active playlist, and you get to choose your favorite songs and eliminate songs you’d prefer we avoid. When you hire Collision Six, we hope you’re hiring us for our expertise. We want to collaborate with you to create the playlist to make sure the dance floor is packed. At any wedding we play, we will learn any songs you choose for your first dance and parent dances. Be careful of a band that offers to learn all of your requests. They accomplish that by using “karaoke tracks,” sheet music or song lyrics on stage. That kills the energy and spontaneity of the performance, which is why we work with you to choose the best songs from our repertoire for open dancing.
What are your stage/space requirements?
With our 8-piece band, we can fit onto a 18ft by 12ft stage, as long as there’s room on the floor next to the stage for our speakers and light stands. We love putting on a high-energy show, so a larger stage is always better. Our ideal stage size is at least 20ft by 12ft. If you select our Elite Package with our 11-piece band, we will need a larger stage. That said, we do not require a stage.
What are your power requirements?
Thanks to new technology, we use gear that does not require a lot of power. Two separate 15 amp circuits is plenty for us. We like having two separate circuits to ensure that we won’t have power issues, especially because photographers and videographers will often tap into our power supply. That said, we can work with 1 dedicated circuit.
Do you play all of the music live, or do you use "backing tracks" to supplement the sound?
We play 100% live music! As an 8-piece full of talented musicians (including six vocalists), we don't need to supplement our sound. Unfortunately, it's so easy to use technology that some bands choose to rely on that instead of hiring enough musicians or having rehearsals to actually learn the songs. Websites like Karaoke Version have made it cheap and easy to use less band members on stage and just have them play along to tracks. Playing to tracks requires focus (instead of engagement with you and your guests), it removes the element of spontaneity (because the band is bound to the track) and it's subject to technical failure. If you're spending the money on a live band, you might as well book one that's playing all of the music.
How much does all of this cost?
We have a few different packages we offer and some other upgrades. Our pricing ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on a variety of factors . If you’re interested in a quote, please fill out our form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
Will we be charged for extras?
NO. While we offer a variety of upgrades, you’ll get everything you need with any of our packages. We do not charge for set up or tear down. We do not charge for the PA system or lights for the band. We do not charge for MC services, and we do not charge for our planning meeting in advance. Unless you specifically request an upgrade to one of our services, you will never pay anything more than the price originally listed on your contract.
How long do the different parts of the wedding usually take?
* For toasts, our advice is always to tell the people toasting to keep it short and sweet in order to capture the attention of your guests. Toasts that last around 3 minutes are fun; toasts that last 10 minutes can be boring!
** If you're looking for a shorter dinner, we recommend pre-plating salads or serving them before toasts. If you like the idea of a leisurely dinner hour, it's best to handle the "formalities" first. Depending on the number of guests or the style (plated vs. buffet), the length of time for a nice dinner can vary. Either way, we've found that it's best to allow your guests to relax and enjoy each others' company during dinner, instead of doing toasts or dances while people are eating.
*** For special dances, we typically play the full length song for your first dance. It’s a unique opportunity to have a live band play a song special for you, so we recommend taking advantage of that. For parent dances, we usually recommend editing them down to 2-3 minutes. We’ve found that most of our brides and grooms (and their parents) find that to be a good length of time for a dance in the spotlight.
When should we end the wedding?
Most weddings typically last about 6 hours—including cocktail hour, dinner and dancing—so we’ve tailored our packages to match. That said, we know you want your event to end on a high note, so there are a few things to consider when deciding when to end the event. First, the party is going to naturally wind down very shortly after the bar closes, so don’t plan on extending the party much later than the last drink is poured. Second, if there are noise ordinances in effect, make sure you know about those and plan accordingly. You don’t want the last hour of your party played at half volume, and you don’t want the police to be late-arriving guests either! Last, keep in mind how long the day is in general. If you have a 2-3 hour break between your ceremony and reception, your guests may be less likely to stay until the end of the reception.
Should the size of my party determine the size of the band?
Everyone has their own taste and preference, but we don't think the band size and guest count are related. There are large bands that play to rooms of 200 people every weekend around the country. On the other hand, The Beatles played to stadiums as a 4-piece band. We recommend that you focus on the sights and sounds of the band and choose a group that you're excited about, regardless of their size.
Collision Six is a full service event band, in the traditional sense, but then not so much. In the traditional sense, we’re a group of professional musicians who perform together every weekend and rehearse every week. Every single note you hear at a Collision Six performance is played by a live musician because we do not use pre-recorded “karaoke tracks” to beef up our sound. In the non-traditional sense, our stage show is full of energy and can be spontaneous because we’re fully involved in the moment with you. We've written careful transitions from song-to-song so the momentum of the dance floor never lets up! We care deeply about our clients and putting their interests first. We take a collaborative approach with our clients by sharing our experiences and explaining things to help them make the best decisions possible for their events. We are NOT an agency. We are NOT a bunch of hired-guns. We ARE a band, and we call ourselves Collision Six.
How long have you been in business?
Collision Six performed their first show in December 2002; we performed at our first private event in 2010.
Are the musicians that appear on the website the ones who will perform at the party? What happens if one of the band members gets sick?
Yes. We are not an agency, and we are not a casting call of hired-gun musicians. We are a band, so the faces you see on the website will be the faces you'll see on the stage at your wedding. Of course, from time to time, one of our core band members will miss a performance. We play 90% of our shows with our core line up and we regularly rehearse with our backups so they’re up to speed on the show.
When do band members arrive to set up?
Our band members typically arrive about 1 hour before the event begins to set up their gear and complete a sound check Our goal is to make sure your event is classy and sounds amazing from the first note until the last dance. For that reason, our band members always arrive before your guests so you never see us carting gear through the middle of your event. We always complete a sound check where we play through a couple songs to make sure the mix is good. Every room is different--both the size and the way sound waves bounce off different surfaces--so don't let a band tell you they don't need to sound check! What that means is that they're going to be sound checking while they're playing the first couple songs in front of your guests.
How much music do we get?
For weddings, most venues book a 6-hour package, which includes cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. So, our packages include 6 hours as well, and alll of our packages include music for the entire event, including up to 4 hours of music for dancing with the full band. Our Classic Package features around 2 hours of iPod/DJ music for cocktails and dinner, and we offer various upgrades to swap out DJ music for live music or to increase the size of the band. Many bands restrict their time to "continuous music," which means if you want an opening dance set, the clock starts ticking then. Our style is to work with you to provide the perfect blend of live music and DJ music, so we'll accommodate any timeline that works for you. In the case of corporate parties and private events, we've found that timelines vary substantially, so we are committed to working with you to make sure you have the exact blend of music you feel is appropriate.
How long are your sets and breaks?
At most events, we play 3 sets. The first set will usually be 70-80 minutes and will include some music for the end of dinner as well as at least 60 minutes of music for open dancing. The two remaining sets are usually around an hour, with 20 minute breaks in between. During those breaks, we’re going to DJ for you – not with a playlist in the background – but with a DJ on the stage taking requests and interacting with your guests. During each, we will DJ about 5 songs. Many bands take 30 minute breaks, and we feel that's too long to keep the momentum of the party going.
Do you provide music for the cocktail hour or ceremony?
Yes. Music for cocktail hour is always included in our packages. Some bands charge extra for having cocktails in a separate location than where the band will be – we do not! If you’re interested in music for your ceremony, we can absolutely do that – either with DJ music or live music for an additional fee.
Who acts as the MC?
We always provide an MC for your event. At weddings, that means introductions and announcing the “moments” as they happen. At a corporate party or private event, that can mean introducing speakers or making announcements. Matt is our MC, but Kerry can do it too! We will never charge a fee for this.
Do we get to choose the songs? Do you take requests?
We’re going to start off by providing you with our active playlist, and you get to choose your favorite songs and eliminate songs you’d prefer we avoid. When you hire Collision Six, we hope you’re hiring us for our expertise. We want to collaborate with you to create the playlist to make sure the dance floor is packed. At any wedding we play, we will learn any songs you choose for your first dance and parent dances. Be careful of a band that offers to learn all of your requests. They accomplish that by using “karaoke tracks,” sheet music or song lyrics on stage. That kills the energy and spontaneity of the performance, which is why we work with you to choose the best songs from our repertoire for open dancing.
What are your stage/space requirements?
With our 8-piece band, we can fit onto a 18ft by 12ft stage, as long as there’s room on the floor next to the stage for our speakers and light stands. We love putting on a high-energy show, so a larger stage is always better. Our ideal stage size is at least 20ft by 12ft. If you select our Elite Package with our 11-piece band, we will need a larger stage. That said, we do not require a stage.
What are your power requirements?
Thanks to new technology, we use gear that does not require a lot of power. Two separate 15 amp circuits is plenty for us. We like having two separate circuits to ensure that we won’t have power issues, especially because photographers and videographers will often tap into our power supply. That said, we can work with 1 dedicated circuit.
Do you play all of the music live, or do you use "backing tracks" to supplement the sound?
We play 100% live music! As an 8-piece full of talented musicians (including six vocalists), we don't need to supplement our sound. Unfortunately, it's so easy to use technology that some bands choose to rely on that instead of hiring enough musicians or having rehearsals to actually learn the songs. Websites like Karaoke Version have made it cheap and easy to use less band members on stage and just have them play along to tracks. Playing to tracks requires focus (instead of engagement with you and your guests), it removes the element of spontaneity (because the band is bound to the track) and it's subject to technical failure. If you're spending the money on a live band, you might as well book one that's playing all of the music.
How much does all of this cost?
We have a few different packages we offer and some other upgrades. Our pricing ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on a variety of factors . If you’re interested in a quote, please fill out our form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
Will we be charged for extras?
NO. While we offer a variety of upgrades, you’ll get everything you need with any of our packages. We do not charge for set up or tear down. We do not charge for the PA system or lights for the band. We do not charge for MC services, and we do not charge for our planning meeting in advance. Unless you specifically request an upgrade to one of our services, you will never pay anything more than the price originally listed on your contract.
How long do the different parts of the wedding usually take?
- Cocktails = 45-60min
- Grand Introductions = 2-3min
- Cake cutting = 2-3min
- Toasts = Assume 3-5min per speech*
- Dinner prayer = 2-3min
- Dinner = 45-60min**
- Special dances = 10min***
- Bouquet Toss / Garter Dance = 2min each
- Special Religious/Cultural Dances = Usually 5-10min
* For toasts, our advice is always to tell the people toasting to keep it short and sweet in order to capture the attention of your guests. Toasts that last around 3 minutes are fun; toasts that last 10 minutes can be boring!
** If you're looking for a shorter dinner, we recommend pre-plating salads or serving them before toasts. If you like the idea of a leisurely dinner hour, it's best to handle the "formalities" first. Depending on the number of guests or the style (plated vs. buffet), the length of time for a nice dinner can vary. Either way, we've found that it's best to allow your guests to relax and enjoy each others' company during dinner, instead of doing toasts or dances while people are eating.
*** For special dances, we typically play the full length song for your first dance. It’s a unique opportunity to have a live band play a song special for you, so we recommend taking advantage of that. For parent dances, we usually recommend editing them down to 2-3 minutes. We’ve found that most of our brides and grooms (and their parents) find that to be a good length of time for a dance in the spotlight.
When should we end the wedding?
Most weddings typically last about 6 hours—including cocktail hour, dinner and dancing—so we’ve tailored our packages to match. That said, we know you want your event to end on a high note, so there are a few things to consider when deciding when to end the event. First, the party is going to naturally wind down very shortly after the bar closes, so don’t plan on extending the party much later than the last drink is poured. Second, if there are noise ordinances in effect, make sure you know about those and plan accordingly. You don’t want the last hour of your party played at half volume, and you don’t want the police to be late-arriving guests either! Last, keep in mind how long the day is in general. If you have a 2-3 hour break between your ceremony and reception, your guests may be less likely to stay until the end of the reception.
Should the size of my party determine the size of the band?
Everyone has their own taste and preference, but we don't think the band size and guest count are related. There are large bands that play to rooms of 200 people every weekend around the country. On the other hand, The Beatles played to stadiums as a 4-piece band. We recommend that you focus on the sights and sounds of the band and choose a group that you're excited about, regardless of their size.
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